Submission Fields Areas of Focus Project Management Foundation Skills Covers the basic knowledge areas and skills required by individuals developing their project management skills. Advanced Project Management Skills Provides additional knowledge areas and skills for individuals who have been practicing project management for more than five years. Project Management Tools Describes tools (e.g., software) to assist project managers to complete their assignments. Project Management Issues Discusses project management problems and issues directly related to being a project manager. This area will address any regional issues and topics. New Project Management Trends Addresses any new project management trends that may impact the industry in the coming years. Communications Encompasses all communication skills – including negotiating and influencing skills, oral presentation skills, and effective writing skills. Teaming Working in teams is a skill anyone in business needs. How to select, manage, and work with a team, both local and virtual, is a necessity in all business environments. General Business Skills Addresses areas of knowledge that everyone in business needs to understand including, but not limited to, legal issues and financial reporting. Sales/Marketing Skills Discusses marketing techniques – whether it be to market and sell a product, project, or even oneself. Consulting Skills Speaks to the skills and knowledge necessary for individuals to grow their consultative talents. Professional Development Professional Development encompasses more than just personal developmental opportunities at conferences or educational institutions, but can also include areas such as mentoring, use of online learning, and other areas of self-study. Industry Specific Issues While Project Management, and indeed all industry, has many commonalities. Some industries have specific problems or issues that set them apart. These issues are as unique as the industry they represent. Research Track This is a specialized track for proposals that focus on a research topic. Papers presented on research topics with a clear application to the practice of project management. Applied research is essential to validate theoretical methods and processes that are new to project management, and, provides insight to the value of research to real world problems and applications. Presentation Formats Case Study A case study is an interactive session when the particiapants are provided with detailed information about a real-life situation. All related circumstances, issues, and actions of persons involved are carefully described in these materials. In groups participants study and analyze the situation as presented, apply principles, related to the subject of the presentation, and decide what was done correctly and what mistakes might have been made in the case study. During discussion, each participant must explain, justify, and defend his or her own analysis of the case situation. This is a highly interactive session with the participants receiving a broad outline of the situation from the presenter and then determining a solution. Forum A discussion forum is hosted by a facilitator who guides the discussion around a particular topic. The participants participate in the discussion to reach a conclusion regarding the discussion topic. Guided design A guided design is an interactive session which focuses on developing the participants' decision-making skills as well as on developing specific concepts and principles. Participants work in small groups to solve open-ended problems that require them to gather information, think logically, communicate ideas, and apply steps in a decision-making process. The presenter acts as a consultant to the participants and helps them come to the best case solution. Lecture A lecture, in one form or another, is one of the most widely used forms of instructional delivery at schools, businesses, and training agencies. In this format, the presenter(s) will deliver their paper, using a PowerPoint presentation that summarizes the paper.The presentation can discuss a methodology, technique, tool, corporate case study, etc. Panel A panel discussion is hosted by a moderator and up to three qualified persons present information or their views on an assigned topic in front of the participants (audience). The individuals may represent different viewpoints, various interest groups, or special experiences. The presenters deliver their portion of the session in a style similar to a lecture (see above). When presenters are not lecturing they are sitting at a table. Upon completion of the lecture portion of the session, the participants (audience) may ask questions of the presenters. The moderator of the session will handle the flow of the questions. Simulation A simulation is an interactive session where an abstract representation of a real-life situation requires the participant or team to solve a complex problem. The presenter creates aspects of the situation that are close to reality, and the participant must perform manipulations, make responses, and take actions to correct deficiencies or maintain a proper status. Many simulations are computer controlled, such as a mock-up simulator of an airplane cockpit for pilot training. The simulator allows the presenter to set up appropriate conditions that require specific responses from the participants. The participants become deeply involved, undergoing the same stress and pressures they would experience in reality. The presenter discusses and evaluates the results of the activity with the participants. Audience Level Beginner/Foundation This is a level of someone new to project management, often at the staff or entry level or a seasoned professional with limited exposure to project management. They may be working toward the CAPM &174; examination or have equivalent knowledge and are currently a project team member or manager of a small project Intermediate This level is for someone with detailed knoweldge of project management and less than 5 years in the industry. They should be capable of taking operational responsibility and working at the mid-level of an organization with supervisory responsibilty for a project team. They might be a newly certified PMP&174; or have equivalent knowledge Advanced This is an individual with more than 5 years in the field who has mastery of proejct management. They are the highest ranking individual with regard to their skills and have supervisory responsibility for a project team and may hold the title of Project Manager, Head of a PMO, etc. They have held the PMP&174; certification for several years. General This level is for anyone with a basic knowledge of project management. It generally is for topics not directly related to project management skills such as soft skills necessary to anyone in business. Sample Outine Introduction What makes a Poor speaker What makes a Good speaker What makes an Excellent speaker Objectives of Session Improve speaking flow Reduce unease during presentation Assure connection with the audience Develop skills to be able to provide clear information Details Presentation Creation Mind maps Audience identification Speaking Style Audience factors Tone Volume Language Body Language Cultural awareness Pacing Standing Hand Gestures Dealing with Nervousness Isometrics Meditation Imaging Examples Compare good and poor speaker in international venue Demonstrate poor speaking Demonstrate good speaking Closing Review key points Provide references Questions and contact information